Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-08

| MhNOI IIHHClr, VI ~. t}OulS, nus TO
ceived the following letter from Presi
dent Cleveland. declining to visit st
Louis at the time OF the Grand Arm,
of the Republic encampment anC
giving his reasons therefor
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, July 4, 1887.
Hon. Dayid II. francis, Mayor anC
| Chairman
My Dear Sir,-When 1 received til,
extremely cordial and gratifying invi
tation from the citizens of st. Louis
rendered by number Of her repre-
sentive-men, TO visit that city during
the national encampment OF the Grand
Army of the Republic, had been con
templating for some time the accept
ance of an invitation from that organi
cation TO the same effect, and had con.
sidered the pleasure it would afford me
if il should be possible to meet not
only the members of the Grand Army
of the Republic, but the people of st.
Louis and other cities in the West,
which the occasion would give mo an
| opportunity To visit.
The exactions of my public duties |
felt to be so uncertain, however, that
when first confronted by the delegation
Of which you were the head, Iexpected
to do no more at that time than to pro-
misc the consideration of the double
invitation rendered me, and express the
pleasure it would give me to accept the
same thereafter, if possible. But the
ccrdiality and sincerity of your pre-
sentatioD, reinforced by the heartiness
of the good people who surrounded
you, so impressed me that could not
resist the feeling which prompted me
TO assure you on the spot that 1 would
be with You and the Grand Army OF the
Republic at the time designated. il no
thing happened in the mean time to
absolutely prevent my leaving Wash
| ington.
Immediately upon the public an
nouncement Of this conclusion express
sions emanating from certain impor-
tant members of the Grand Army of
the Republic, and increasing in volume
and virulence, constrained mo to re-
view my acceptance of these invita-
| tions.
The expressions referred to go to the
extent of declaring that / would be an
unwelcome guest at the time and place
of the national encampment. This
statement is based, as well as / can
Judge, upon certain official acts of mine,
involving important public int ests,
done under the restraints and Obliga-
tons of my oath of Office, which do
not appear to accord with the wishes of
some members of the Grand Army of
the Republic.
refuse to believe that this organiza-
ton, founded upon patriotic ideas, COM
posed very largely of men entitled to
lasting honor and consideration and
whose GROWING glory it should be that
they are American citizens as well as
veteran soldiers, deems it part of its
mission to compass any object or pur-
pose by attempting to intimidate the
Executive or coerce those charged with
making and executing the laws. And
yet the expressions to which / have re-
ferred indicate such prevalence of I'M
friendly feeling and such a menace to
an occasion which should be harmonious,
peaceful, and cordial, that they cannot
be ignored.
/ beg you to understand that | am
not conscious of any act of mine which
should make me fear TO meet the Grand
Amy of the Republic or any other as
scmblage of my fcllow-citi2eEs. The
account of my official stewardship is
always ready for presentation to my
countrymen.
| should not be frank il failed to
confess, while disclaiming all resent
ment. that have been hurt by the I'M
worthy and wantOn attacks upon me
growing ont Of this matter, and the
reckless manner in which my actions
and motives have been misrepresented,
both publicly and privately, for which,
however, the Grand Army OF the Re
public, as a body, is by no means re-
sponsible.
1he threats of personal violence and
ham in case / undertake the trip in
question which scores Of misguided,
unbalanced men, under the stimulation
Of excited feeling, have made are not
even considered.
Rather than abandon my visit to the
West and disappoint your citizens, /
night, if l alone were concerned, sub
nit to the insult to which, it is quite
openly asserted, would be helplessly
subjected if present at the enc}mp-
mont. But ] should bear with me there
the peoples highest Office, the dignity
of which [ must protect, and | believe
that neither the Grand Army Of the
Republic as an organization, nor any
thing like a majority OF its members,
would ever encourage any scandalous
attack upon it.
If, however, among the membership
of this body there are some, as certain
ly seems to be the case, determined to
donounce me and my official acts at
the national encampment, / believe
they should be permitted to do so I'M
restrained 10y my presence as guest OF
their organization or as a guest of tae
hcspitable city in which their meeting
is held.
A number Of Grand-Army posts have
sionified their intention, am informed,
10 remain away from the encampment
in case / visit the city at that time.
Without considering the merit of such
an excuse feel that | ought not to be
the cause of such non-attendance The
time and place of the encampment
were fixed long before my invitations
were received. Those desiring to par
ticipate in its proceedings should b.
first regarded and nothing should be
permitted to interfere with their inten-
tions.
Another consideration OF more i'm
portance than all others remains to be
noticed. The fact was referred to by
you when you verbally presented the
invitation of the citizens of st. Louis
that the coming encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic would be
the first held in a southern State. /
suppose this fact was mentioned as "A
pleasing indication of the fraternal feel
ing SO fast gaining ground throughout
tie entire land and hailed by every pa
triotic citizen as an earnest that the
Union has really and in fact been saved
in sentiment and spirit witha the ben
Gifts it vouchsafes 10 u united people.
| cannot rid myself of the belief that
thp leost discOrl ON this prOpitiOnS Oe-